Three win prizes at Fishing Derby

Tuesday

While no one landed a tagged fish for the $10,000 grand prize, there were three who reeled in big fish for prizes at the City of Barnwell’s Fishing Derby.

Rhiannon Williamson won a kayak for landing the biggest Bass which weighed 4.7 pounds. “I didn’t expect to get one on my first cast (of the day), much less one that big,” said Williams.

Reece Still won a cooler for having the biggest Sunfish at a half-pound.

Tracy Northcutt won a grill for having the biggest Catfish which weighed 7.8 pounds, taking home a grill in addition to his prize-winning fish.

Other prizes donated by local businesses were won by other participants who came out on a nearly-cloudless spring day at Lake Brown.

All 84 participants fished from the bank from 8 a.m. until the weigh-in at 2 p.m.

Pamela Davis, City of Barnwell director of Parks and Recreation, said she was pleased with the turnout and hoped everyone had a good time. She also thanked Chris Thomason and the S.C. Dept. of Natural Resources for supporting the city for the event, Boy Scout Troop 392 for providing food, and all the sponsors who provided support and prizes.

The day was not only a competition but a chance for families to spend time together.

Rhiannon Williamson not only brought home the winning Bass but also got to spend time with her nephew, Ryan Vickers, 12.

Edwin and Jennifer Jones of Barnwell delighted in having children and grandchildren to spend the day with - the youngest being one-month-old. Fishing with them were Avery Jones, 4, Kipper Polk, 3, twins Kullen and Kamrie Polk, 2, and 1-month-old Elloree Jones along with her mother Carly Jones.

Brothers Tavaris and Santonio Anthony came from Columbia for the derby. “I didn’t know this place existed before today,” said Tavaris. “This is beautiful.”

He said he normally enters competitions where sportsmen fish from boats but “I saw the flyer and knew I had to come fish this one.”

Davis said they were not the only ones from outside Barnwell County to come to fish in the derby. “We had participants from all across the state – Lexington, Aiken, North Augusta, Blythewood, Warrenville, Beaufort and Gaston, just to name a few.”

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